| This thesis offers substantiation that a tactical application of lean manufacturing tools may be expected to result in measurable improvements for an existing production line. In some situations it may prove neither practical nor necessary for organizations to enter into the enterprise-wide paradigm shift recommended by many modern proponents of lean manufacturing. For existing in-process operations with limited production life expectancy, the value of a tactical application of lean tools should not be overlooked. Includes an analysis of the implementation of specific lean manufacturing tools that have been successfully utilized in the production of aircraft structural components, and a discussion relating to the implementation of lean principles in an aerospace union shop. Additionally, a unique concept for visualizing the relationship of the quality management system and lean company is introduced, an instrument of potential relevance for instructors and students of lean manufacturing, quality assurance and six sigma. |
